Break the Ice

How are you? is a constant expression that you will need to know in almost every language. After learning to say hello, the first thing to acquire is greetings that shows attention and can start a good conversation, whether when dealing with a business situation, communicating with locals in another country, or meeting new people. First impressions last, and if you want to break the ice and know a few different ways to ask, "How are you?" In Arabic and responding to it formally or even in slang, check out this article.

There are a number of ways to ask "How are you?" In Arabic, this amazing language has many different phrases that amount to each Arab country and its culture. However, we recommend starting with MSA, Modern Standard Arabic, which is the official language spoken in 25 Arab countries.

Asking “How Are You” in Modern Standard Arabic:

- Kayfa Haluka? كيف حالكَ (Male)

- Kayfa Haluki? كيف حالكِ (Female)

Response:

- Ana bikhaer, shokran أنا بخير، شكراً I am fine, thanks

- Alhamdulillah الحمدلله Thank God

Asking “How Are You” in different Arabic dialects:

Gulf Dialect:

- Shlonak? شلونَك؟ ( Male)- Shlonik شلونِك؟ (Female)

- Kif el hal? كيف الحال؟

- Shau akhbaarak? - شَو أخْبَارَك؟ Any news?

Response:

- Al hamdulillah - الحمدلله- Thank God

- Mashi Alhal - ماشي الحال - Things are going well

- Taybeen - طَيبِين - I am good

Egyptian Dialect

- Ezzayak? إزيَّك ( Male) - Ezzayek إزيِّك (Female)

- Aamel eeh? عامِل إيه ( Male) - Aamla eeh عاملة إيه (Female)

- Akhbarak eeh? أخبارَك إيه ( Male)- Akhbarek eeh أخبارِك إيه (Female)

Response:

- kwayes, Al hamdullilah كويس، الحمدلله -I’m fine, thank God

- kolo tamaam كله تمام - Everything is ok

Levantine Dialect

- Keefak? كيفَك ( Male)- kifek? كيفِك(Female)

Response:

- Tamam تمام – Great

- Mashi Alhal - ماشي الحال - I’m just okay.

- Mneeh – منِيح - I’m good

Courses of the Al-Khalil educational platform for learning Arabic:

Free arabic webnaire - 6 pillars to learn Arabic well

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